𝐼𝑁𝑁𝑂𝐶𝐸𝑁𝐶𝐸 𝐿𝑂𝑆𝑇 // 𝐴. 𝐷𝐸 𝑅𝑈𝑁𝐸

𝑋𝑉𝐼

| XVI. What Is a Safe-Haven Without Safety? |
—

Laurentius' home was warm, and felt safe- a stark contrast to the situation the children were in mere hours ago. The sun had long set, but sleep still evaded Marion. She sat in front of the roaring hearth, her now bandaged hands unmoving on her lap.

Lucas-Laurentius' little mentor-had bandaged her up. When he saw the extent of the burns, his face had contorted in a manner that without words, let Marion know they'd probably never be the same again. Laurentius himself was sick, his skin red and riddled with boils. Marion could barely look at him.

He had offered safe shelter to the children; he wouldn't be able to help Hugo in such a state, but he was confident that Lucas could. Though, as always, Marion had a feeling the peace wouldn't last. It wouldn't be long before the rats found their way into their little safe haven- that thought lingered in Marion's mind, leaving her on edge.

Marion's fingertips found the silver crucifix that dangled from the ivory beads of her rosary. Jesus, the Sacrificial Lamb, born to die for the greater good of his father's people. What ran through Mary's head when she realized that her son was born only as a sacrifice?

"Marion?" Amicia sleepily called out from behind her, making her tense for a split-second.

"Yes?" Marion answered, her hand falling back into her lap.

"Why are you still awake?" The brunette asked, taking a seat next to her companion.

Why was she still awake? Was it the knowledge that the rats could ambush them at any moment? Was it her worry for Hugo? Was it her mind prattling on about quite literally anything it could to keep her from finding a moment of tranquility?

"I don't know." She said, "Have I woken you?"

Amicia let a small smile grow on her face, "No, you're silent as a mouse."

After Amicia's words, Marion could feel a shift in the air. Marion averted her eyes to the fire, watching as the flames licked at the air.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Amicia asked, and Marion grit her jaw.

"I didn't want to worry you, we have bigger things to focus on-"

"You being bit isn't something to focus on? That's a lie and we both know it." 

Marion stayed silent- Amicia was right. The dark-haired girl felt tears prick at her eyes; winter was slowly creeping up on them, and her body was weak. The bite, plus her usual sickness during the winter months... tragedy felt inevitable.

"I don't know what I'd do if you... Hugo needs you, I need you." Amicia choked out, her teary gaze burned a hole into Marion's heart.

Marion buried her face into her knees, she was so weak. Her body, her mind... she felt like she was cursed. Destined to live a life of unimaginable anger, guilt, sorrow... the list could go on forever. The dark-haired girl took in a deep breath, sat up, and wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Try to get some sleep, yeah?" Marion shifted the conversation, "We need all the rest we can get."

Amicia averted her eyes to the fire, and frowned.

—

A/N

Heyyy... heyyy.

Sorry for abandoning y'all for a month, my computer is again broken (FUCK YOU APPLE) so I've been stuck for like a month.

I definitely did not write this on my school Chromebook! (I did, but that won't last very long because they get collected on June 13th 😭)

Originally, we would've had an actual conversation with Lucas in this chapter (the whole plot of the chapter would be different, actually.) but I decided not to do that... idk why

Anywho, enjoy this tiny little sliver of a chapter, hopefully I won't disappear for another month...